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Italy's foreign minister met Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi on Monday, days after the commander described Italians as “enemies” and accused some Libyans of being puppets of the Italian government.

Field Marshal Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army said the talks, which also focused on efforts to organise elections in Libya, were held at the Haftar’s headquarters.

The two men "had a long and cordial conversation which relaunched close relations with Italy, in a climate of consolidated trust," the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Italy, a key supporter of the UN-backed government of Fayez Al Sarraj in Tripoli, wants to "maintain an active dialogue" with all well-intentioned actors in Libya, Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi said.

"The current political path must be completed, in particular through free and fair elections held under adequate security conditions," he added. France has pushed for elections before the end of the year.

Italy’s foreign ministry said Field Marshal Haftar "expressed his appreciation for Italy's foreign policy, which Libya can't do without".